Sheep marking paint given to farmers in bid to tackle theft

FORTY farmers have received a pot of sheep marking paint in a bit to tackle any future thefts of their animals.

Cumbria Police along with Amanda Wallbank from the NFU, handed over new product ‘TecTracer’ to farmers at a meeting in Appleby yesterday afternoon (February 8).

Consisting of a sheep marking paint that contains thousands of numerically coded microdots, TecTracer aims to help prevent sheep theft as well as assist in identifying the owner of any sheep suspected of being stolen.

PCSO Karen Dakin said: “As part of the Country Watch Eden Scheme, we have been working with farmers to tackle the issue of livestock theft. The theft of these animals is a big problem for the farming community in Cumbria, and the impact on farmers is hugely significant.

“I am pleased that we have been able to work with TecTracer to find yet another tool in our armoury against this type of crime. It is also a great way to thank the farmers that have helped us and worked with us from the beginning of Country Watch.”

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “The fight against stock theft is one we must and are taking seriously. This new technology will be a great help to track and trace stock, and will help to prevent theft, and also help to bring criminals to justice.

“I am really grateful for the great work that Country Watch Eden are doing to help roll this out, keeping our rural areas safe from crime.”

In the fight against sheep theft, police and the NFU have also arranged training days for officers, where they have learned from farmers, set up a Facebook page which is successfully used to share information and organised the trial of Selecta DNA.

Anyone else interested in TecTracer can order the product by either visiting www.tectracer.com or by contacting Amanda Wallbank at Appleby NFU.

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